Citroen C5 - How bad can it be?
Discussion
Currently going through a bit of a shed phase due to changing jobs, tight finances etc. Have just parted company with an V6 Omega estate which I loved to pieces but was drinking me out of house and home. Through a trade connection I have been offered a 2001 Citroen C5 Exclusive (2.0 petrol) for not much above scrap value. In its favour it has circa 100k on the clock, 11mths MOT and after having a look round it earlier seems fine externally.
When I was in the trade I used to sell a few of the diesel estates, and don't have particularly fond memories of them to be honest.
Anything particular to be wary of? As the title says, part of me is thinking how bad can it be? Obviously I'd rather a Mondeo or Vectra or soemthing for the same money but beggars can't be choosers and all that.
When I was in the trade I used to sell a few of the diesel estates, and don't have particularly fond memories of them to be honest.
Anything particular to be wary of? As the title says, part of me is thinking how bad can it be? Obviously I'd rather a Mondeo or Vectra or soemthing for the same money but beggars can't be choosers and all that.
I'm not really qualified to answer your question , so I will.
I had a Citroen C6 - a beautiful car if I may be so bold - for a day. It had 200 miles on the clock as it was a demo car from a dealer. Within 5 miles I came to the conclusion is was as fragile as the old 205 GTI!
Awful cheap lump of expensive s
t.
It was st.
So, I'd buy your C5 and see just how crap an older Citroen can be.
I had a Citroen C6 - a beautiful car if I may be so bold - for a day. It had 200 miles on the clock as it was a demo car from a dealer. Within 5 miles I came to the conclusion is was as fragile as the old 205 GTI!
Awful cheap lump of expensive s
t. It was s
t. So, I'd buy your C5 and see just how crap an older Citroen can be.
You could ask at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/C5-L/
Plenty of experts there.
I seem to remember they have a build number (RP) on the door pillar and that number can be decoded so you can find out where in the development cycle it was built.
Plenty of experts there.
I seem to remember they have a build number (RP) on the door pillar and that number can be decoded so you can find out where in the development cycle it was built.
My mother has two - one which, for no reason whatsoever lost compression. So she went and bought another.
One that I went to see for her had 58k on the clocks fantastic condition and looked spot on, had DPF failure, CELs for lambda sensors, fuel pump, and something else I can't remember.
We've had Citroens in the family since the Traction Avant, but I gave them up after the BX, relapsed with an AX for a runabout a few years ago, and with all the problems I've seen will never go back.
For what it's worth, if I find a decent condition BX GTI 16V 4x4 or ZX 16V Volcane I'll snap it up. Anything newer? No thanks.
One that I went to see for her had 58k on the clocks fantastic condition and looked spot on, had DPF failure, CELs for lambda sensors, fuel pump, and something else I can't remember.
We've had Citroens in the family since the Traction Avant, but I gave them up after the BX, relapsed with an AX for a runabout a few years ago, and with all the problems I've seen will never go back.
For what it's worth, if I find a decent condition BX GTI 16V 4x4 or ZX 16V Volcane I'll snap it up. Anything newer? No thanks.
Boobonman said:
Through a trade connection I have been offered a 2001 Citroen C5 Exclusive (2.0 petrol) for not much above scrap value.
Where's the risk then? Punt it through the auctions or into the scrapyard if it's a lemon.Guessing if you get two month out of it you'll hardly loose anything it if it's that cheap and off you go looking again.
Guessing they don't want it on their forecourt and know it's going to get pretty much what they're offering it to you for as big petrol cars are bad enough then you add 100k and Citroen into the equation and it's not going to be an easy sell. You're probably getting it for what they paid.
My (elderly) neighbour owned a 2.0 hdi from new (52 plate). In that time he covered 54k miles. Absolutely nothing ever went wrong with the car. He was offered £800 for it last month as a px against a new Kia. The car is in ridiculously clean condition and the only blemish on its 100% factory original condition is 1 solitary stone chip on the bonnet.
My friend gave him a £grand for it instead. Flew through the MOT last week with no advisories.
Very comfy car, spacious with a huge boot, 45 MPG. Makes sense as a beater if you can find a good one.
My friend gave him a £grand for it instead. Flew through the MOT last week with no advisories.
Very comfy car, spacious with a huge boot, 45 MPG. Makes sense as a beater if you can find a good one.
Just to update, I declined it. Thanks to your advice I managed to unearth loads of stuff about how specifically the HPi sts itself shortly after the management light comes on, and starts going in to limp mode. Needs an expensive fuel pump which I think might be HPi specific.
On a brighter note I won a '97 3dr Saab 900 turbo on ebay on Sunday and I've just picked it up...
ts itself shortly after the management light comes on, and starts going in to limp mode. Needs an expensive fuel pump which I think might be HPi specific. On a brighter note I won a '97 3dr Saab 900 turbo on ebay on Sunday and I've just picked it up...
Boobonman said:
Just to update, I declined it. Thanks to your advice I managed to unearth loads of stuff about how specifically the HPi sts itself shortly after the management light comes on, and starts going in to limp mode. Needs an expensive fuel pump which I think might be HPi specific.
On a brighter note I won a '97 3dr Saab 900 turbo on ebay on Sunday and I've just picked it up...
Sweet. How are you finding it?ts itself shortly after the management light comes on, and starts going in to limp mode. Needs an expensive fuel pump which I think might be HPi specific. On a brighter note I won a '97 3dr Saab 900 turbo on ebay on Sunday and I've just picked it up...
I had a late 1998 Talladega Turbo for a bit and totally loved it. 20MPG and a 50 mile relocation for work was the only reason I sold it. Mostly Mk3 Astra in a dress, so some bits can be very cheap.
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